Good news everyone! The hiatus is over!

And other good news: THE GROOSE IS LOOSE!

Chapter 30: Crisis of the Conscious

*Shortly after Link & Co left the Sealed Grounds*

When Groose first heard of Zelda's disappearance, only two things were on his mind: Save Her. And prove to her that he was more worthy of a friendship with her than with Link. That's all he cared about. So when the opportunity came for him to follow Link and his friends, Groose took it and didn't look back.

This should've been the chance of a lifetime for Groose. Finally, after many years of Link outshining him, Groose would finally show once and for all to him, Zelda, and everyone on Skyloft that he was better. To show that he was tough, not weak. That he was an honest hard worker. To be seen as a hero. Someone to be admired, not brushed aside by a lazy bum like Link. He would receive recognition if he had found and brought Zelda back home.

Except that never happened.

Rather than seek glory, all Groose had gotten was humiliation.

Everything changed when that monster, The Imprisoned, showed up. Groose had always imagined himself being the one who slays the evil monsters from stories he had read growing up. Yet when a monster showed up for real, all he did was get paralyzed with fear. The Imprisoned wasn't anything Groose had ever fathomed. Never in his whole life did he feel such intense fear.

And somehow, Link, the boy Groose had constantly accused of half-assing his way through knight training, defeated that monster. While Groose, the stronger one, couldn't do a damn thing except almost get killed by it. Groose shudders when recalling hanging over mere feet away from the sharp, jagged teeth of The Imprisoned's mouth. He could still smell the stench of its breath. When he was sure his end would come, Groose's fear overcame him.

What's worse, Link and his friends saw it all. Bad enough Link took down the monster himself, but Fledge, of all people, was the one who saved Groose's life. Fledge, pipsqueak as he liked to call repeatedly, saved him. Groose couldn't fathom why Fledge went out of his way to do that. Especially since he had a tirade on how Groose was the worst person in the world only moments ago. Whatever his reasons, it didn't change that Groose had been rescued by him. And Groose wasn't sure if he should be thankful or mad.

Groose knew he was not a nice person, and he had his reasons why. Being nice never got him anywhere. To him, niceness was a sign of weakness. Meanness, on the other hand, equals toughness. And toughness earns him respect. That's what he tells himself. That's what he was taught. Groose convinced himself that matter how much everyone on Skyloft disliked him for how he was, they had some type of respect for him.

But Fledge's rant hit him with an uncomfortable truth. Nobody had ever respected him. And by chance, if at least a few did respect him, including Cawlin & Strich, they surely would lose it all for him thanks to that monster. Now everyone will know how Groose is a weakling.

By now, Groose was sure that Link, Fledge, Karane, and Pipit were gladly telling everyone on Skyloft that big tough Groose was nothing more than a weak coward. He probably would be doing the same if he were in their position. They are all most likely laughing about pathetic, useless Groose. After today, the illusion of respect that Groose had was gone.

Coming down here was a mistake. Silently, Groose cursed himself for foolishly following them. He should've stayed in the Dining Hall with his friends. The illusion of respect would've remained. Now all he got was his worst fear coming true: That he was nothing but a useless deadweight.

It had only been a short while since Link and his friends had left the Sealed Grounds. Probably hours for all he knew. But Groose didn't care. He was in no hurry. Not anymore. He can't go back to Skyloft. Not now, and he did not know when. After slamming his fist against the walls of the Sealed Temple repeatedly, he rested his head against the temple's wall, thinking about what to do now.

Eventually, the sounds of footsteps caught his attention. Standing not too far from him was the familiar old woman.

"What do you want, Grannie?"

"It was too quiet out here. I wanted to make sure that you were okay." The Old One moved closer to him. "Your arm."

Groose was confused by her statement until he glanced at his bicep. The cut that he got from his fall earlier remains. He didn't seem bothered by it.

"Just a stupid cut."

"If you allow me, I can treat it. I would hate for you to get an infection."

Under normal circumstances, Groose would have denied her request to appear tough. But after what happened earlier, that facade can no longer work. Reluctantly, he followed The Old One back inside the temple.

The Old One spends the next several minutes treating Groose's arm while he sits in silence. The only sounds he made were the small grunts from the stings of whatever medicine the old woman was using.

"That should do it," The One One wraps a bandage around his bicep.

"Thanks, I guess," Groose muttered, keeping his gaze away from her.

"Would you like some food?"

The Old One showed a large, yellow, delicious-looking fruit. Groose took the fruit without saying a word, giving it a big bite. The Old One watches Groose in silence as he eats. Groose had noticed her staring when he reached the fruit's core.

"There something you need, Grannie?"

"Link told you about the Loftwing Statue?"

"Yeah, he did. Whatsittoya?"

"I figure you want to head back to your home in Skyloft."

"I'm in no hurry. I doubt anyone would care."

"Link seems to care about your well-being."

Groose let out a scoff. "I doubt that. He and his stupid friends don't give a shit about me. And I sure as hell don't give a shit about them and never will."

"Sounds as if you have a great disliking for them."

"What gave that away?"

"The argument all of you had earlier when trying to convince them that you were better suited to search for Zelda. I can see there's an unpleasant history between all of you. Why is that?"

"What's there to tell? They don't like me, and I don't like them. Simple as that. They do not care about me."

The Old One wanted to press the topic further. But she felt she wouldn't be getting anywhere with Groose right now. So she moved to a different matter.

"What about your friends?"

"My friends can handle themselves without me," Groose recalls Fledge's statement about Strich avoiding him the past several days since the Wing Ceremony in his mind. It left a tiny sting in his chest.

"What about your family then? I'm sure your parents must be worried."

"They're…no around."

"I'm sorry for your loss," The Old One said sorrowfully.

"Not in that way!" Groose urgently stated.

"Oh?" The Old One gave a curious look.

"They, um…can't take care of me right now. They left me at the academy at Skyloft. They'll come back for me once things are settled with them."

"I see…" The Old One stated, unsure what to make of that. "Well, if you're going to stay here for a while, perhaps you can help me. I need some wood to make a fire. There's an ax nearby. Use it to chop down a tree and use the bark to make firewood. Would you be kind enough to do that?"

"I guess." Groose had never done anything like that of the sort. But he figured, why the hell not. Not like he has anything better to do.

The ax was heavy, but Groose's muscular build made it easy to handle. Chopping down a tree, which was more significant than the ones he's seen back on Skyloft and the other Sky Islands, took half an hour for him to chop down. Then he spends another half an hour breaking them down into smaller logs. A task like this Groose would've been done thanks to his strength. But he was struggling. The wood that he broke down looked like it was done by a sloppy person. Someone like Link unless he was making one of his stupid wood carvings. That made Groose frustrated. Bad enough that his image is more than likely ruined, now his body had fought against him.

Night had fallen unto The Surface hours later. Fire from the imperfectly chopped wood inside brightened up the temple's interior. The Old One tended it too. Groose was sulking in silence not too far from her.

"Fine wood you got," she said to instigate a conversation with the boy.

"Took me forever to chop down..." Groose commented.

"There is nothing wrong with that. You got some, at least before the sun went down."

"I could've brought more. I handled weapons heavier than that with ease, I'm sure. But I struggled with that ax!"

"Nobody will always get perfect results."

"That's not how it goes for me. I'm tough! I could've brought five bundles of wood! Instead, my focus was all over the place. All I could think about was that monster." Groose tried to prevent his words from trembling. "I've never seen anything like that before. Not even in those stories I've read. And now, thanks to it, Link saw me at my weakest...After today, he'll never let me live that down."

Pure disguise riddled the teens' tone mentioning Link's name. The Old One took note of that.

"May I ask why you have such a disdain for Link?"

"I already told you, Grannie."

"You're not telling me the whole story. I may be old, but I am not senile." The Old One's brow grew firm. "Holding in your feelings is not good for you. I'm sure what happened between you & Fledge would be a good example."

"Fledge is too sensitive! If it were me, I would never let that happen! I'm not a weak little pipsqueak like he is!"

"And yet, that 'weak little pipsqueak' saved your life." The Old One declared calmly yet had a hint of sass.

Groose honestly did not have a comeback for that one. "I-Uh...Why do you want to know badly anyways?"

"There is no harm in wanting to get to know one another, especially if you intend to stay down here for the time being. Now may I ask again. Why do you have a disdain for Link?"

"You want to know why?" The Old One nods back to Groose. "Nothing! That's why!"

"Nothing you say?"

"Yeah! He does nothing! He sleeps in. He eats like a slob. And his head is constantly in the clouds! Yet somehow, he's the best in the academy! The best sword fighter! The best flyer! And he got promoted to Senior Knighthood before me, even when he barely practiced! And everyone somehow likes him. I can't go anywhere in Skyloft without hearing somebody saying how great he is! And I hate how he constantly rubs his friendship with Zelda in my face! The nerve of him after he stole her away from me!"

"Stole her?"

Groose glanced at the old woman. "Zelda and me. We were friends once. She was my first friend when I came to Skyloft. She was the only one willing to talk to me. Link kept her away from me any chance he could. Almost a year after I arrived at Skyloft, I told him how I felt. And you want to know what happened? Link escalated things, and I rightfully defended myself, but Zelda took his side and stopped talking to me after that! Link's stupid friends and everyone on Skyloft look at me like I trashed their house because of that. It's not my fault Link & I couldn't get along!"

"Denial is often the first step." The Old One calmly spoke.

"First step of what?"

"Acceptance that you have a problem."

"I am NOT in denial about anything!"

"Is that true, or a lie you mask as truth to convince yourself?"

"Convince me of what?"

"That you are the misunderstood hero of the story. The behavior I see you display tells otherwise."

"It's called being tough. That's how I got people to respect me!"

"You call harassing and insulting people gaining their respect? Maybe things are different on Skyloft, but I'm sure that is how you get people to fear and hate you."

"DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY PEOPLE STAY OUT OF YOUR WAY?! NOT BECAUSE THEY RESPECT YOU! IT'S BECAUSE THEY HATE YOU!"

When The Old One said that, Fledge's harsh words from his outburst ranged into Groose's head. Groose wanted to argue back and give a case on how that isn't true. How she doesn't have the full context of everything. But something prevented him from doing so. Seeing that Groose did not respond, The Old One went on.

"You may think fear & respect are one and the same, but I promise you it is not. If you keep acting the way you are, you'll spend the rest of your days in loneliness and bitterness. Everyone that you tormented will not have your name in their minds. Unless you change your ways, you will spend your days alone."

"I don't need any change! My life is fine! So DROP IT!" Groose towered over the old woman. Glaring her down, his teeth clenched, and hands balled into fists to intimidate her.

"If you insist." The Old One, unfazed, let out a breath. "I plan to turn it in soon. I have a spare blanket. You're more than welcome to sleep wherever you wish."

It wasn't long until The Old One had fallen into slumber on the top of the steps where she likes to sit. Groose was far from here on one end of the temple where a patch of dirt lies. He figured it would be a quiet spot for him to relax, far enough away from the old woman's meddling. Long after The Old One fell asleep, Groose remained awake, thinking about today's events.

By now, Link and his friends probably told everyone on Skyloft about Groose almost getting killed and how they saved his useless ass. The reputation Groose believed he had is no doubt gone. Perhaps, he hoped, there could be a way to salvage it. Where there's a will, there's a way. How to do that, he has yet to figure out.

A loud yawn let out of his mouth. Planning would have to be a wait. He could probably sleep on it. Laying on his side, Groose pulled himself into a deep sleep.

Surrounding him were many trees. The sky is dark. No animals were around. Despite the darkness, Groose manages to navigate his way through this unknown forest. Groose stumbles upon a clearing. A familiar teenage girl with blonde hair stood in the middle. She turns to face Groose with a sweet smile on her face.

"Zelda?"

"Oh, Groose! You found me!" She spoke with joy.

"It is you! Thank the Goddesses, you're okay!" Groose ran to Zelda, giving her a hug.

"I was so afraid! I thought I would be stuck here forever! But now you're here!"

"Happy to help, Zel! Let's get you home!"

"Before we do, you deserve a reward for finding me."

"Like what?"

"I think you know…." Zelda places her hand on Groose's cheek, giving him such loving eyes.

Groose felt his heart flutter as Zelda slowly guided his face towards hers, puckering her lips. Groose closes his eyes, puckering his lips. The heat grew on his face excitedly when he felt his lips close to Zelda's.

"Oh, Groose…" Zelda stops within centimeters of Groose's lips, her voice turning dark. "...If only there was someone out there who loved you."

"W-What?" Groose stood flabbergasted, watching Zelda walk away from him.

"You think finding me would make me instantly love you? That I would suddenly forget the years of you bullying my friends? You expected me to jump on you just like that?!" Zelda laughed mockingly in a way that gave Groose chills up his spine. "And you call Link stupid! You are such a poor dumb brute. I would rather jump into a tornado than be anywhere near you."

"Zel…what's up with you?"

"What's up? I'll tell you what's up." Zelda marched over, pointing her finger like she did on the day of the Wing Ceremony, giving a cold glare. "It's YOU. You are the problem, Groose! You can't handle a single fact: Link is better than you in every way!"

"That ain't true! I am better! I found you, didn't I? And where is Link? Probably slacking off again! That proves I'm better, doesn't it?"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Link emerged from the forest trees, strolling towards them. Lips curved into a smug smile.

"Link?! When did you get here?!" Groose was shocked to see him.

"Newsflash, asshole. I've been here the whole time. I found Zelda long before you."

"Then why are you both still here?"

"Because we wanted to see you make a fool of yourself. That's all you're good for." Groose was shocked to hear words coming from Link. "Don't look at me like that. You deserve it after the hell you gave me for the seven years we've known each other. This shouldn't be a surprise to you."

Link's face was close to Groose's. Glaring sapphire eyes burn right onto Groose's amber eyes. Groose attempted to not tremble.

"You better get out of my face or else-"

"Oh, else WHAT?" Link cut Groose off mockingly. "Your tough guy act can't work anymore. I know who you are for real."

"Not just me and Link. We ALL know who you are." Groose noticed how Zelda put the emphasis on 'all.'

A new but familiar voice caused Groose to jump in fright. "Cowering away at the sight of a monster does paint a good picture." Pipit leaned against a tree with his signature arms crossed pose.

"A sad little boy who projects his issues onto everyone around him." Karane appeared from behind the same tree Pipit was leaning on. "You DO know what projection means, right, Groose? We learned about it once in class."

"He probably wasn't paying attention. He must've been thinking of another elaborate scheme to get Zelda's attention away from Link," Pipit stated to her.

"Ah, right. It wouldn't be a big surprise. Groose displays lots of signs of possessiveness. Also something we learned in class. Do you know what we also learned about possessive people? They have some…insecurity issues."

Pipit placed his finger on his chin, pondering Karane's words. "Hmmm…Now why would Big Bad Groose have insecurities? This is the same person who acts like he's the greatest gift from Hylia and the Golden Three. What's there to be insecure about?"

"I may have the answer, Pipit," Link spoke up. "Groose here is jealous. Jealous of me."

Groose froze like a statue while Link stared straight into his soul. Link was amused by this state.

"Ask yourself: Why do you always try to make me look bad? Why are you always competitive with me? Why did you try to cheat your way to beat me? Simple answer: You're jealous. Jealous that I'm a better person than you. You tell yourself I'm a slacker undeserving of the love and praise I receive. You must be so upset when you saw how wrong you were today. You can't be better than me, Groose, because you have a horrendous personality. You know you can't compete with me."

"Except when it comes to me." Zelda stepped in. "You don't love me, do you Groose?"

"O-of course I do!" Groose argued, only for Zelda to respond by slapping his face. The impact left his cheek stinging.

"Don't lie! You don't genuinely love me! The only thing you love about me is that I'm a trophy. A trophy that you can show off as proof that I'm the one thing you have that Link doesn't! That's all I am to you. You don't care about my feelings at all! Because if you did, you would finally let it through that thick head of yours that I'm not the one for you."

"But I do care about you, Zelda! My first year on Skyloft was the best because of your friendship with me! I always cherish that time we had."

"Well, I regret it! If I could take that year back, I would!" Zelda hissed back harshly, stinging Groose's heart. "Especially after what you said about Link's parents! I should have never wasted that year trying to be your friend! You've always had it out for Link! For what reason?! Link was always trying to be nice, but you always such an asshole back to him!"

"You always blamed Link for Zelda ending her friendship with you," Pipit scoffed. "But we all know the truth: You drove her away, Groose."

"You blame Link for all your problems to make yourself the victim of your own misfortunes. A classic sign of narcissism, might I add," Karane added with a giggle that unsettled Groose.

"You hated me that moment we met. I never did anything to you other than be nice. All you ever saw me is a threat to your fragile nonexistent ego," Link spat to him, his glare growing colder. "Perhaps that's why you tried to murder me."

"Mu-murder you?!" Groose was shocked by that accusation.

"The Wing Ceremony. I almost fell to my death because you locked away my bird. I wouldn't be shocked if you were hoping for that."

"That's not what I wanted! I-I had no idea Zelda would push you off! Honest!"

"Cut the crap! You always accused me of being stupid. You were hoping I'd be stupid enough to jump off Skyloft, right? You always wished that I was out of the picture."

"I honestly did not know that! I don't hate you that much!"

"Could've fooled me." Link hissed at him. "Regardless, I'm sure everyone on Skyloft would've believe that you intentionally tried to kill me, whether you planned it or not. You're just that awful."

There was undoubtedly off about these guys. How they spoke in morbid tones. Also, their skin was pale, and their eyes were a vicious yellow with dark pupils. Eyes filled with malice. A voice in Groose's head urged him to run. When he tried, Groose was greeted with a fist in his face. The impact forced him on his back in a daze. When his vision cleared, Groose was shocked to see Fledge towering over him, fist clenched with blood on his knuckles.

Unlike the others, who had vicious glee on their expressions, Fledge stared Groose down with nothing but pure hatred. His skin was also pale, and he had yellow eyes painted with malice.

"Running away from your problems. And you call me spineless," Fledge spoke to Groose with utter disgust.

"Glad you could make it, Fledge." Link looks down to Groose. "Looks like you got him good. How does it make you feel?"

"It felt…good. But I want to hit him more. I want to hurt him the same way he hurt all of us!"

"He will soon enough, buddy." Link gave an affectionate pat on Fledge's shoulder. With a sneer on his face, Link crouches down to Groose. "You shouldn't be surprised by this. Aside from me, Fledge is the one you bullied the most. Now why I wonder? I mean, in my case, jealousy is the likely conclusion. But what about you?"

"I've been asking myself that for seven years."

"I think I might have a theory of my own," Zelda walked between Link & Fledge.

"Do tell, Zel,"

"Well…Groose hates you, Link, because you have everything he doesn't. Fledge, on the other hand…is basically the opposite of Groose's desires. So he bullies Fledge just so he can feel better about himself. You get what I mean?"

Link's eyes brightened up when it clicked on what Zelda meant. "It all makes sense now." Eyes still glued to Groose, Link stood back up. "You hate me, Groose because I embody everything you wish to be. While Fledge…is the embodiment of everything you're afraid to be."

Pipit and Karane let out feigned gasps of shock.

"Goodness."

"Juicy stuff right here."

"Now, what we want to know is what do you think of this, Fledge?" Link glances at the boy.

Groose waits anxiously for Fledge's reaction. For several seconds, Fledge is relatively calm while he processes everything. Groose might have had hope that Fledge was not taking it badly.

How wrong he was.

Fledge's lip grew to a sinister amused grin. Low chuckling escaped his mouth. The volume slowly rose until it erupted into full-out boisterous laughter. Not the laughing one might do when they hear a funny joke. The kind that sounded like it belonged to a person who was utterly psychotic. Someone that Fledge is not usually. Other sounds were heard in between his laughs like crying. That's what terrified Groose the most.

"Seriously?! That was the reason why you bullied me so much?" Fledge said to Groose amid his psychotic laughing fit. "You were afraid of becoming me?! That's some hilarious shit right there, you know that? Why? What about me you're afraid of, huh!? Tell me!"

"N-nothing!" Groose got a bad feeling about where Fledge was going with this. Unfortunately, that answer upset Fledge enough to kick Groose's ribs very hard.

"Don't lie to me, asshole! What are you afraid of?! Afraid of being smaller than everyone else?" Another kick was felt on Groose's ribs. "Afraid to be weak?" Fledge stomped on Groose's face. "Afraid of letting everyone belittle and walking all over you?" Fledge pulled Groose by his pompadour, staring straight into Groose's face with his hated-filled yellow eyes. "Afraid of others making you feel like the most worthless person in the world LIKE YOU DID TO ME?!" Fledge punches Groose's face, sending him flying.

Agony aches over Groose's body as he lies on the cold hard floor. In different circumstances, he could've, no, should've fought back. An invisible force had prevented him from doing so. Groose didn't even muster up the strength to speak in defense. An invisible grip was letting the others do what they wanted.

"What?! Not going to fight back? Now it's clear who's the real pipsqueak!" Groose heard Fledge's voice filled with venom while he attempted to march over in his rage, only to be gently restrained by Pipit & Karane.

"Easy there, buddy. You got your message across," Pipit softly said to him.

"It's okay. Groose can't hurt you anymore," Karane assured before she and Pipit turned their cold gazes to Groose. "He can't hurt ANY of us anymore."

"That you're correct, Karane. Groose will pay for his sins," Zelda smiles darkly at Groose.

"A certain someone is eager to see you again. I think you would be perfect for each other." Link gave his own dark smile. "You might find that you both have a lot of things in common. After all, you're just about as big a monster as it is."

All five slowly moved closer to where Groose was. Groose crawls backward to get away. Arm up in a stop gesture, he pleads to them.

"C-come on, guys. Don't do this. I know you know that this is wrong!"

"WRONG?! If anything, everyone at Skyloft would praise us! They won't shed any tears for you! You bring nothing but dishonor!" Pipit proclaimed harshly.

"You contribute nothing! You do nothing for the benefit of Skyloft other than being a horrible person to everyone around you!" Karane jeered.

"You're a useless waste of space. Like I said: No one respects you because you're a big, selfish, asshole! You don't deserve to be a Skyknight! You don't deserve anything at all!" With all the hatred in his voice, Fledge then tells Groose. "You don't even deserve to live. The world will be better off without you..."

Hearing that from Fledge made Groose felt hurt. Hurt because Fledge said those words? Or the fact that he was right?

"You're nothing, Groose. You will always be nothing but dead weight. You'll rot down here and be forgotten," Link said with sadistic glee.

Red energy swirled in Zelda's hand. "But don't worry. We'll relieve you of your pain…" She said with a haunting grin.

The red energy covered Zelda's body. It manifested into a red gooey substance. Outspreading onto the ground like a red puddle. As it spread, it climbed onto Link, Pipit, Karane, and Fledge. All five were consumed by it. They all turned into five hellish-looking hands with claw-like nails. The five hands hunched over. The red hands jerked upwards with the unholiest screech. One malice-filled yellow eye is in the center of all five of the hand's palms. All set their sights on Groose.

The teen tried to run fast through the woods, barely dodging one of the hands trying to grab him. Groose's luck gave out as he tripped on a branch. The Hell Hands found him. One by one, they grab hold of him. Their grip was so firm Groose felt his joints cracking. The hands said various things to him with a combination of distorted voices from the five teens Groose had wronged for seven years.

"You will not escape your fate!"

"Suffer for your sins!"

"You're a plague!"

"You will burn! BURN!"

They carried him through the woods, maintaining their grip despite Groose's hard struggle. Their destination leads them to the edge of the woods. Groose's eyes widen to see a familiar temple with the spiral pit below.

Waiting in the pit was none other than The Imprisoned.

There was only one thing Groose could do in one final resort. Begging for his life.

"Don't do this! Please!"

Groose said with desperation. He had been reduced to tears. One of the Hell Hands turns to face him. Its malice eye stare right into Groose. The Lone Hell Hand inched close until its palm was a mere few centimeters away from his face.

"Look at you. Such a pitiful state. Pathetic." The hand spoke with all the collective voices. "No wonder why they left you at the academy."

The emphasis on the word 'they' gave a heavy feeling to Groose.

"Nobody in this world cares for useless trash like you. Trash must be disposed of. And the real kicker? You have only yourself to blame…."

The rest of the hands move Groose to the pit's edge while the lone one watches. The Imprisoned glances up in their direction. Its hideous jaw curved into a smile. Groose could feel his heart beating as he desperately tried to free himself. The Lone Hell Hand gave an evil laugh.

"May you burn in hell, Groose."

The Hell Hands tossed Groose into the air. He helplessly fell straight into the pit, watching all the hands return to their human forms. All gave goodbye to him with sadistic smiles as he plummeted. The Imprisoned opens its jaw wide open. The last thing Groose could do before he was eaten by the monster was let out a loud painful scream.

Air desperately sucked into Groose's mouth when he darted up. Sounds of his hyperventilating echoed across the interior of the Sealed Temple. Cold Sweat resided on his skin. It took minutes for Groose to calm himself down before giving a sweet breath of relief when he realized that what he saw was only a nightmare.

Judging by the darkness, nighttime still lingers. The hole in the Temple roof allows a view of the stars. Soothing sounds of crickets chirping occasionally chirped. That alone should have helped Groose relax. But he could not.

Recalling the nature of the dream made him uneasy. Despite it being a dream, all of that felt too real for his liking. Groose has had nightmares before. None felt as real and horrifying as this one was.

"Are you alright?" The Old One's voice made Groose jerk. Once he realized it was her, Groose attempted to hide the shock & fear.

"I'm fine…Just a bad dream," Groose responded, trying to sound tough.

The Old One did not buy that answer. "That did not seem like 'just' a bad dream. You were tossing in your sleep. And I heard whimpering."

"You probably saw it wrong. I can handle a nightmare. Not the first time I got one. Why do you even care anyways?"

"It would not be right of me to leave you while you are clearly struggling."

"I can handle myself fine. I've gone through most of my life without needing help. I don't need you to babysit me."

"I am not babysitting you. I wish to help you."

"I don't NEED your help! I never need anyone's help. And turned out quite fine! Just drop it!" Groose barked back with intensity.

The Old One looked disappointed. Nonetheless, she complied. "If you say so. I will leave you be." She walked a few feet away when she stopped to turn her head back. "But know that if you need it, I will help you. Asking for help doesn't make you weak. I promise you."

"Goodnight, Grannie," Groose uttered.

"I wish you a pleasant sleep."

The Old One walked away from Groose. He laid back down on his side. No matter how hard he tried, Groose could not go back to sleep. All he could think about was his horrible dream. Thinking about it brought him to tears. It took all of his willpower to not cry, for he did not want The Old One to hear. Out of his stubbornness or fear, he wasn't sure.

"It was just a dream. It was only a dream. I'm not that bad…Right?"

All the negative thoughts swarm in his head. Images of the nightmare kept showing up. They were as clear as day. The words the figures in the dream spat onto him, the harsh words Fledge said to him yesterday, all the glares and whispering people back on Skyloft did when he walked by kept repeating. Over and over again.

Another image included two lone figures. A man and a woman, to be exact. They glared down at him. One sentence uttered from them.

"You are a useless child."

Groose didn't get much sleep for the rest of the night.

One of the perks of living in an old age is gaining a better insight. This gift allows one to catch on to things in the world around them better than those younger. These individuals can get a better understanding of certain people. More so better than the person. Some are so insightful that they can get a good deal after a single encounter.

The moment Groose barged into the temple demanding to tell him where Zelda was, The Old One had already got a good idea of the kind of person he was. Further confirmed when he and Link's group had their heated conversation. She could see that Groose was filled with arrogance, self-absorbed, and clearly stubborn. Not a good combination for a person to have. As she saw, Groose has negative feelings towards Link and his friends. Fledge's outburst is evident in what kind of person Groose was. Many would be understandable quick to dismiss him as a rude bully. When she was much younger, The Old One would've been one of those people.

But she is not young. Has not been for a long time now. She now has a better understanding of the world. While many wouldn't even spare a second glance, there is one thing The Old One knows.

Groose is hurting. He has been for a long time. And he won't admit to it. There is one proof that indicates that.

"You don't get far in life by being soft. You need to command respect."

That lone statement from Groose alone proved to The Old One that his tough guy act is all a cover to prove himself that he is useful. Due to his attitude, it was clear that Link's group, and possibly many others back to their home of Skyloft, would not think of him as the most helpful person. Again, Groose was blind to it.

Now the question remains that not even she could answer on the surface. Why? Why is Groose this way? Why does he persist in carrying this illusion of himself? Why won't he accept help?

Unfortunately, Groose did not seem open to accepting help. After witnessing what his nightmare did to him, The Old One sees that he clearly does need it. She knows the boy's potential and wants to show him that. But how can she when he refuses her help?

The following morning, she had spent thinking hard and long about her move when Groose went outside to gather more firewood. After hours of thinking, she had gotten an idea.

Her people have a ritual that might be helpful. The Old One had seen the effects of it once when she was young. She saw that it helped the person who participated in it, and they spent the rest of their lives as a better person than before the ritual. By the time they passed, they had lived a fulfilled life, passing away with warm smiles surrounded by those they loved. That may be the only key to helping Groose.

The Old One writes on a bit of note. When finished, she made a whistle. In flew a hawk, who let out a screech. She ties the message onto the Hawk's leg and then sends it on its way. Now all The Old One had to do was wait.

Fun fact, I wasn't intending to go back to Groose this soon. But during the hiatus I figure maybe now was a good time to check up on him. And boy does he have a lot to deal with eh?

*Minor Tears of the Kingdom spoilers*

Me: *Brainstorming Groose's nightmare* Hmm, this is scary but I feel it like could be a tad more scary. Eh, I'm sure I'll think of something

Me: *sees the Gloom Hands in Tears of the Kingdom*

Me: Oh my God, those are terrifying...I have an idea

*End of Spoilers*

I have been enjoying Tears of the Kingdom. Thankfully the game doesn't have anything that will contradict my plans for this fic. So hooray! We're back in business (Don't expect the Zonai to show up here, though)